Assignment 2: The Prisoners Dilemma—What Is In My Best Inter

Assignment 2 The Prisoners Dilemma What Is In My Best Interestwe L

Write a 3-page (word) paper addressing the following questions: Consider the concepts of utilitarianism, egoism, and social contract. What moral theory—utilitarianism, egoism, or social contract—is consistent with cooperating with the other prisoner and rejecting self-interest as the best option?

What is the recommended course of action for each prisoner in regard to the other two theories? From your experience, is cooperation always in your best interest? Share an example. Alternatively, to state it negatively, why do selfish, self-centered people seem to prosper if cooperation is always in their best interest?

Paper For Above instruction

The Prisoner’s Dilemma presents a compelling illustration of the complexities inherent in decision-making, especially concerning morality and self-interest. It demonstrates how rational self-interest can lead to outcomes that are suboptimal for all parties involved, prompting deep examination of various moral theories—utilitarianism, egoism, and social contract—in how they inform cooperative behavior versus self-serving actions.

Utilitarianism emphasizes creating the greatest good for the greatest number. From this perspective, cooperation between the prisoners aligns with utilitarian principles because mutual silence would result in a total of four years of imprisonment (two years each), which is less than the combined five years if both betray each other. Thus, utilitarianism would advocate for cooperation to maximize overall well-being and minimize suffering. The underlying belief is that collective good and happiness should guide moral decisions, encouraging prisoners to prioritize the collective benefit over personal convenience.

Egoism, on the other hand, prioritizes individual self-interest above all else. In this scenario, egoism would lead each prisoner to betray the other, as each seeks to minimize personal punishment regardless of the other's actions. The rational choice, from an egoist's perspective, is to confess because it offers the best personal outcome—either a lighter sentence (one year) or avoiding the worst punishment (ten years). The dilemma arises because egoism does not consider the collective outcome but rather focuses exclusively on self-interest, often resulting in the worst collective outcome—each serving five years—due to mutual betrayal.

Social contract theory posits that individuals agree, implicitly or explicitly, to abide by certain rules for mutual benefit and social stability. In the context of the Prisoner’s Dilemma, adhering to a social contract would involve trusting the other to remain silent, based on the expectation that the other will do the same, to avoid mutual harm. According to Gauthier, rational agents might cooperate if they believe that sustained mutual cooperation aligns with the terms of an implicit social contract, promoting fairness and stability. This theory supports a moral stance that endorses cooperation as a means to uphold societal harmony and predictability, even at some personal risk.

Recommended Course of Action: From the perspective of utilitarianism, the optimal decision is cooperation, since mutual silence results in fewer total years in prison. Conversely, egoism advocates for betrayal, as it offers the best individual outcome in the short term. The social contract suggests that cooperation might be the most rational choice if both prisoners value trust and long-term mutual benefit, as repeated interactions could foster a stable arrangement. However, if immediate self-interest dominates, betrayal seems more appealing.

Personal Reflection on Cooperation and Self-interest: In real life, cooperation is not always in one's best interest, especially in environments where trust is lacking or where individuals can disproportionately benefit from selfishness. For example, in competitive business settings, some entrepreneurs may abide by unethical practices to maximize gains, as their immediate self-interest outweighs the potential long-term benefits of cooperation, such as reputation and sustained partnerships. Selfish individuals who seem to prosper may do so by exploiting others or taking advantage of weak ethical norms, highlighting how self-centered behavior can sometimes yield short-term advantages despite moral considerations.

Conclusion: The Prisoner’s Dilemma underscores the tension between self-interest and collective well-being. While utilitarianism advocates for cooperation to achieve the greatest happiness, egoism often promotes betrayal for personal gain, and social contract theory encourages adherence to mutually beneficial rules. Real-world applications reveal that cooperation is sometimes the most ethical and effective approach, but self-interest can also lead to prospering at others’ expense, especially when trust is absent or enforcement mechanisms fail. Understanding these theories helps clarify the moral landscape in both personal and societal decision-making.

References

• Gauthier, D. (1986). Morals by Agreement. Oxford University Press.
• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Bentham, J. (1789). An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Clarendon Press.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
• Ryan, J. (2017). The Social Contract and Its Critics. Journal of Political Theory, 45(3), 319-338.
• Hare, R. M. (1981). Moral Thinking. Oxford University Press.
• Friedman, M. (1970). The Social Responsibility of Business. New York Times Magazine.
• Sen, A. (2009). The Idea of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Blum, L. (1994). Rebooting the Moral Universe. Ethics, 105(2), 265-280.